Thanks for elucidating this. I've noticed this type of narration without having tried to describe it. I don't like that type of narrator in 20th century fiction. It feels, to me, like the author is being too intrusive. In this case, particularly with the narrator inside the bathroom stall with the female character, commenting on how she is pretty while she's vulnerable and having a hard time, this feels objectifying, and not like a loving presence. (On the other hand, an older example of this slightly intrusive narrator that comes to mind is in Madame Bovary, and that one doesn't bother me.)
"Zooey" complicates things a lot, since it is explicitly in the first person; Buddy Glass, Franny and Zooey's brother, is the narrator. Since the two stories were published in book form together, there's a suggestion that Buddy also narrates "Franny." I meant to set this aside and work only with evidence "internal" to the story about whether there was a narrator and if so what he was like.
Thanks for elucidating this. I've noticed this type of narration without having tried to describe it. I don't like that type of narrator in 20th century fiction. It feels, to me, like the author is being too intrusive. In this case, particularly with the narrator inside the bathroom stall with the female character, commenting on how she is pretty while she's vulnerable and having a hard time, this feels objectifying, and not like a loving presence. (On the other hand, an older example of this slightly intrusive narrator that comes to mind is in Madame Bovary, and that one doesn't bother me.)
The paired story “Zoey,” as I remember it, has a somewhat different narrator relationship. More centered in Zoey and his perception of Franny.
But maybe I need a re-read with this perspective in mind to see if I’m right. Maybe it’s the same adoring, pitying narrator from before
"Zooey" complicates things a lot, since it is explicitly in the first person; Buddy Glass, Franny and Zooey's brother, is the narrator. Since the two stories were published in book form together, there's a suggestion that Buddy also narrates "Franny." I meant to set this aside and work only with evidence "internal" to the story about whether there was a narrator and if so what he was like.
Ah I forgot it was first person. If he is also the narrator of the first story, that changes how I would read it. Interesting theory!